The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Armor) Lawrence S. Wright, United States Army, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 11 May 1969 while serving as the Commanding Officer of Task Force Wright with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date friendly elements were suddenly engaged by an intense barrage of antitank rocket, automatic weapons and small arms fire. Upon receiving word of the contact, Colonel Wright immediately boarded his gunship and flew to the battle area. Observing the action, he called in reinforcements from allied troops in the area and with complete disregard for his personal safety controlled the allied forces from the air and directed the ground forces which were already involved in the fierce fighting. Flying at tree top level, Colonel Wright marked the enemy positions with smoke grenades and directed the ordnance from his own ship. After running low on fuel, Colonel Wright briefly returned to base camp to refuel and then flew back to the battle scene. He remained on station constantly directing every phase of the action until the enemy was defeated. He used his ship to help carry ammunition and to evacuate injured personnel. The battle finally resulted in twenty enemy killed in action, one prisoner of war and 1500 pounds of equipment captured or destroyed with only four allied soldiers being wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Wright’s heroic actions, complete disregard for his own safety and expert military leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.